Forced Labour in Fiji.

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that forced labour is being employed for the construction of a Government road between Suva and Navua, Fiji, payment to each man amounting to about 4s. per annum; and that the Governor, in view of the fact that the pay was inadequate to provide the natives with clothing, decreed that they should have freedom of choice of work during November and December, so that they might obtain wages to buy clothing; whether the natives in one district were prosecuted for claiming this privilege and were fined, with the alternative of a month's imprisonment; and will he say what action he proposes to take.